Possible slow down in travel to Baja California and Mexico due to US Passports requirements

Please be advised U.S. passports are required for air travel to Baja California and Mexico in general. There has been a lot of talk and I have interviewed a fair amount of companies in Baja that feel there has been a slow down in air travel to Mexico due to the United States new requirement to have a passport to return to the U.S.

In speaking with Jason Hollander of Cabo SpringBreak.com he felt that the new law definitely affected his Spring Break business this year as many students were not aware of the change. He works with many travel realted companies and airlines and they all have felt this affect. One major airline had told him that they had spent millions on researching the affect this new passport law may have on travel and were surprised their research did not prepare them for what has really happened.

When speaking to Frank Rowden of Cabo Sports he also felt that his business had been much slower than the same months in the previous year. My partner in conversation with James Curtiss of the Cortez Club which provides diving and fishing trips in La Paz the capital of Baja Sur as well felt that the impact was much greater than anyone had anticipated. I have even heard of hotels here in Baja Sur and other parts of Mexico that are willing to pay your passport fees in order to not lose your business.

In interviewing many other businesses, real estate agents, tourism services, hotels and Mexican immigration officers all seem to be confirming the same. However in Baja California (Norte) according to Kerry Sims of Baja Relocation there doesn't seem to be quite as great an affect, as many people are driving in and at this time you may still return driving over the border without your passport however I understand from some of our readers that it may lead to some additional delays.

While everyone realizes this is a temporary problem and is already seemingly becoming less of a problem there are much longer wait times in obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport these days. Here is a link to the page of the U.S State department showing the time required to obtain a passport today.

As year 2008 quickly approaches those traveling by land and sea will also be required to have a current passport to travel back from anywhere in the world. Here is a link to see what the actual requirements are for air, land and sea travel from the State department of the U.S.

So this is a reminder to any of you who are planning to travel into Mexico in the next few months to get your passports current.
Here is the link to the home page of the United States Secretary of State which is in charge of issuing passports to help you begin the process of obtaining your current U.S. passport.

I hope this helps many of you who have been writing us here at www.bajainsider.com and that you go ahead and begin the process today.

Buen Viaje!